The Barn, a cultural arts center open to all, is nestled among the private residences of Cambridge Avenue in Mariemont. Many pass the striking white-shingled building unaware of the vibrant art classes, summer camps, exhibitions, showers, weddings and events held within its carefully restored walls—or its storied history.
“People are so surprised to see a beautiful art gallery in the middle of a barn, in the middle of a neighborhood,” shares Executive Director Christine Parker.
The Barn is the cherished home of The Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Cultural Center. Originally part of Mariemont founder Mary Emery’s "garden of rest" vision for former Emery Industries employees—meant to include a farm, hospital and retirement cottages—only The Barn (known as Resthaven Barn) and the hospital were finished before her death. In the 1930s, it served as a dairy for Lindner Quality Milk until United Dairy Farmers was established.
The Woman’s Art Club became part of Resthaven Barn’s story in 2007. Alongside the Mariemont Preservation Foundation and a generous donation from the Lindner family, they made it their mission to purchase it from the city, preserve it for the community and cultivate a space for artists and people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the arts.
“We have three legs we stand on: art and the artists who create it, stewardship of this incredible historic building with an incredible story and the community that happens between people. That's what makes it magical,” Parker says.
There are plenty of reasons for more people to experience the magic of The Barn, but two upcoming events couldn’t be more perfect.
Myrtle Blankenbuehler, a Woman’s Art Club member and active volunteer at The Barn, recently passed away at the age of 105. Her daughter, Debbie Latham, reached out to see if they could hold an exhibition of her artwork in the gallery.
Latham notes, “My mother knew that this building could fulfill the dream for The Woman's Art Club. To have a permanent place, where artists could gather, learn from one another and create a space that dovetailed into the vision of Mary Emery, building community through art.”
That dream and Blankenbuehler’s steadfast determination to preserve Resthaven Barn come full circle with her gallery exhibition "Storied Women: Myrtle Blankenbuehler," on May 7-12, with an opening reception on May 8 from 6-8 p.m.
On May 7, Concierge Medicine of Cincinnati presents Hormones & Harmony: An Artistic Evening of Wellness Celebration. The event, featuring food, drinks and hormone education with CMoC's Ronda Lehn, CNP, and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, concludes with a stress-relieving, hands-on artistic project.
This summer, The Barn will be bustling with art camps, including their popular DIY Studio and Sewing & Fashion Design Camps for tweens and teens. Parker also hopes to establish a free coffee shop on Friday mornings for folks to stop by, grab a cup and admire the artwork.
“A lot of smart, kind and giving people came before us,” enthuses Parker. “And now it's our turn to continue the hard work and make The Barn financially stable. What we see for the future is really about offering more ways for people to embrace this treasure.”
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